Game 4 hasn't been played yet, but NBC is already hyping Game 5

NEW YORK – June 4, 2010 – NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final resumes this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5. The Blackhawks lead the series, 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday night in Philadelphia. If Chicago wins Game 4, they will have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup on home ice with a victory in Game 5 on NBC Sports. If Philadelphia wins, the series will be tied heading into the crucial fifth game.

Dan Patrick joins NBC Sports’ coverage as event host for Game 5 from United Center in Chicago. He will also host Games 6-7, if necessary. Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), who is calling his 12th Stanley Cup Final, Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter) will call the action. McGuire will pull double duty, hosting NBC’s studio show alongside analysts Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick.

EMRICK: “I am so impressed with the athletes in this Final. Training camp began for these teams in September. The Blackhawks started their season in Finland, were in first place in November and never let up. The Flyers started in Raleigh, were next to last in the conference but rallied back to make the playoffs on the last day of the season. Then throw in the Olympics and the playoffs. It’s impressive to me the level of performance we are seeing and the sacrifice. It’s true athleticism.”

MCGUIRE: “The series is becoming more and more physical. The teams are building a little disdain for each other. They only played once during the regular season and the animosity levels are up. Forechecking has become an important weapon for Philadelphia and that leads to exciting hockey because of collisions and turnovers. You can see that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are getting more comfortable for Chicago. The crowd will be a big factor for the Blackhawks on Sunday.”

VIEWERSHIP: The 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 2 between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers – played on Memorial Day – was watched by 5.89 million viewers making it the most-watched Stanley Cup Game 2 on record and up 10 percent compared to 2009’s Game 2 (5.35 million; Detroit vs. Pittsburgh), which was not played on Memorial Day weekend. Game 2 also posted a 3.3/6 rating, tied with 1999 as the highest-rated Game 2 in 35 years (3.5/13 on NBC, 1975, Buffalo vs. Philadelphia) and up six percent vs. last year (3.1/5).

Game 1 viewership of 4.43 million was the most watched in 11 years (5.07 on Fox, 1999, Buffalo vs. Dallas) and up three percent vs. 2009 (4.29). Game 1 registered a 2.3 rating, equal to Game 1 last year. Hockey helped NBC win the night (A18-49) in primetime both nights.

REMAINING SCHEDULE: Games 4 will be played at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center and will air on VERSUS tomorrow night. In addition to Game 5, NBC Sports will broadcast Games 6-7, if necessary. Following is the remaining Stanley Cup Final television schedule (all times ET):

Game 4 Fri. June 4 VERSUS 8 p.m.

Game 5 Sun. June 6 NBC 8 p.m.

Game 6 * Wed. June 9 NBC 8 p.m.

Game 7 * Fri. June 11 NBC 8 p.m.

*If necessary

OLYMPIANS COMPETING FOR THE CUP: Ten players on the rosters of the Blackhawks (six) and Flyers (four) competed in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Of the 10, five won gold for Canada, one claimed silver for Team USA, one earned bronze for Finland, and two competed for bronze with Slovakia but lost to Finland. One player competed for Latvia.

GOLD – CANADA

Blackhawks: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook & Jonathan Toews

Flyers: Chris Pronger & Mike Richards

SILVER – USA

Blackhawks: Patrick Kane

BRONZE – FINLAND

Flyers: Kimmo Timonen

SLOVAKIA

Blackhawks: Marian Hossa & Tomas Kopecky

LATVIA

Flyers: Oskars Bartulis

ON NBC SPORTS: Chicago is 6-2 on NBC Sports this season, including victories against Philadelphia in Games 1 & 2. Philadelphia is 2-5 on NBC Sports in 2010.

NBC SPORTS’ 2010 STANLEY CUP COVERAGE BY THE NUMBERS:

1 Office Trailer

2 Net Cams

4 Production Trucks

6 Commentators

12 Number of Finals called by Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, including 2010

24 Cameras

35 Pounds (weight of Stanley Cup)

81 On-Site Personnel

15,840 Feet of Cable (approx)

FROM KEITH GROLLER